Ambrosini: Roma have a very competitive squad this year

Massimo Ambrosini is an AC Milan legend. A former Rossoneri captain, he was a charismatic leader and a key player in the Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri eras at the club.

Ambrosini was an ever-present for the Rossoneri during their dominant start to the 2000s, a period which saw the club win two Scudetto titles, two Champions Leagues and a Coppa Italia.

And, after the retirement of Paolo Maldini, it was Ambrosini that inherited the captain’s armband, wearing it for four seasons from 2009 to 2013, during which time he led the side to a Serie A title.

Ambrosini came up against Roma many times in his career, and the 43-year-old – who now works as a pundit for Sky in Italy – has fond memories of his battles against the Giallorossi.

Is there a particular moment from your matches against Roma that stands out?

“Roma are the only side I ever scored a brace against. It was in May 2009, in Maldini’s last appearance at San Siro, though it didn’t actually count for anything as we lost 3-2. That said, there were plenty of other positive moments too.”

The time you won the league at the Olimpico in 2011, for instance.

“That was the penultimate day of the season. We drew 0-0 in Rome to win the title. I was the captain and we had a really strong side, with [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic up front and others too. Zlatan was ten years younger than he is now. But that’s not the only 0-0 draw I remember against Roma – there was another one too…”

Which one?

“It was in 2002, the first time I captained AC Milan. Again, it was on the penultimate day of the season. It wasn’t a great game from us or from me personally, but we were able to secure a draw and get the point we needed to qualify for the Champions League as the fourth-placed team.”

And Roma ended up missing out on the title because of that result.

“I can only imagine how my best mate felt after that…”

What do you mean?

“My best friend is a Roma fan!”

Was he born in Rome?

“No, he’s from Pesaro like me. I don’t know how he became a Roma fan. He was born in 1977 too – he’s proper football mad. We grew up together and I can still remember him crying after Torino beat Roma to win the Coppa Italia in 1993. I’ve always thought there’s something quite special about Roma and Roma fans.”

Would you have liked to have played for Roma?

“Well, my career wasn’t the most eventful because I spent the vast majority of it with AC Milan. I don’t know if there was ever any real interest there, but under the right circumstances I wouldn’t have been able to turn it down.”

Like Maldini, you played your last game at San Siro as AC Milan captain against Roma...

“That was another 0-0, in 2013. It wasn’t a very memorable game. We beat Siena in the next game to qualify for the Champions League, though.”

And AC Milan haven’t been back in the competition since…

“We’ll see at the end of this season. AC Milan are trying to build another spine of top players, one piece at a time.”

What kind of match are you expecting on Monday evening?

“It’s two good teams going up against each other. AC Milan look a bit more confident than Roma. They’ve been very convincing so far, but Roma aren’t a lesser team when you look at the quality of their players.

"Anything but, in fact – they have a very competitive squad. I’m expecting a bold performance from both sides.”

Speaking as a former central midfielder, how much do you think the midfield will have a bearing on the result on Monday?

“One thing that these two sides in common is that they both like to free up their attacking options from having to drop back into midfield. The midfields try to act as a screen and work very hard without the ball. Both sides have players with good movement in attack, so the midfielders will need to be alert to stop the forward players from creating something.”

What’s impressed you about Paulo Fonseca?

“I like his calmness and balance and the way he always tries to dominate games. Last year he was able to bring the squad together despite lots of injury problems. In the end they didn’t achieve what they wanted to, but he deserved to stay on.

"He’s a modern coach who isn’t wedded to just one idea – he tries to get the best out of what he has available. I think Roma are a very good side. They’ve been put together well.”

Will you be commentating on the game for Sky?

“No, it’ll be Riccardo Trevisani and Luca Marchegiani in the commentary box, but I’ll be in the studio for before and after the game. I’m sure it’s going to be a great game.”

"My best friend is a Roma fan - he was born in Pesaro like I was"

- Massimo Ambrosini